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Selections include: The Koran Interpreted, a translation by A.J. Arberry, first published 1955; The Qur'an, translated by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, published 2004; or side-by-side comparison view

Abu Bakr
al-Siddiq

(r.
632
–
34
)

First Sunni caliph, father of
Muhammad
's wife
Aishah
, and one of four “rightly guided” caliphs in Sunni
Islam. Elected to the caliphate by leaders of the early Muslim community upon
Muhammad's death (the caliphate is not recognized by Shiis). Known
for egalitarian distribution of the spoils of war. Believed that religious and
political leadership of Muslims was the right of the Meccan Companions of
Muhammad, rather than Muhammad's family. Unified Arabia. Fought
Muslims who refused to pay zakah. Asserted the legitimacy of leadership via
adherence to the principles of shura (consultation), aqd (contract between ruler
and ruled), and bayah (oath of allegiance), forming the basis for modern
theories of Islamic democracy.